What is a caregiver journal?

A caregiver journal is a running written record of what you observe at home — the tasks you help with, the challenges you notice, the incidents that concern you, and how things have changed over time.

It does not need to be formal, elaborate, or time-consuming. A brief daily or weekly entry — even a few sentences — is more valuable than a polished document written only when a crisis happens.

Why it is useful for CLSC assessments

The CLSC assessor sees your loved one for one visit. You see them every day. A journal captures what the assessor cannot.

When you arrive at an assessment with three months of observations, you can say with specificity:

• "In January he was able to dress himself with minimal help. By March he needed full assistance with every piece of clothing."
• "She's been refusing to shower twice a week. When we finally got her in, she wasn't able to stand without holding my arm the whole time."
• "I've needed to check his stove every evening because he's left it on — I wrote down the dates."

This kind of evidence is far more persuasive than general statements about things "getting worse."

What to write in a journal

You do not need to write a complete account of every day. Focus on:

• Tasks that required help — especially ones that didn't require help before
• Close calls or safety concerns — near-falls, stove left on, medication errors
• Falls (see the Falls Tracking article for specifics)
• Confusion or memory lapses — specific incidents, not general observations
• Changes in mood or behaviour — anxiety, depression, agitation, withdrawal
• Hours you spent helping — even a rough estimate is useful
• Times you were worried — and what triggered the worry

Also track your own situation:

• Times you had to cancel plans or leave work to help
• Times you felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsupported
• Changes in your own health or energy

How to keep it simple

A dedicated notebook left in a visible place is enough. Some caregivers use a notes app on their phone. A simple template:

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Date:
What I helped with today:
Any concerns or changes:
Anything I want to remember:

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You don't need to fill in every field every day. Use what's useful.

Using the journal during an assessment

Before the assessment, review recent entries and write down the key points you want to mention. You do not need to read from the journal during the visit — have a brief summary ready.

You can offer to leave a copy with the assessor or the care coordinator. Keeping a photocopy for yourself is advisable.

What should I gather next?

See the Medical Documentation Checklist for other records to prepare, and the Functional Changes article for guidance on documenting longer-term patterns.